The Meaning of Psalms 97:1 Explained

Psalms 97:1

KJV: The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

YLT: Jehovah hath reigned, The earth is joyful, many isles rejoice.

Darby: Jehovah reigneth: let the earth be glad, let the many isles rejoice.

ASV: Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The LORD  reigneth;  let the earth  rejoice;  let the multitude  of isles  be glad  [thereof]. 

What does Psalms 97:1 Mean?

Verse Meaning

How do we know that the psalmist was describing a future reign of God and not His eternal reign? The marginal translation, "has assumed kingship," captures the aspect of God"s reign that this psalm presents. God will assume worldwide dominion when Jesus Christ returns, and that will provide occasion for the whole planet to rejoice as never before.

Context Summary

Psalms 97:1-12 - "be Glad In The Lord"
The keynote here is the reign of God. To the wicked, it spells misery; to the believer, it is the inauguration of harmony and joy. It is as though herald-angels step from isle to isle, from mountain peak to mountain peak, with the glad tidings of great joy. It is not always easy to trace its advent. Clouds and darkness are around him. The eye of sense cannot penetrate the black enclosing pall, but faith is ever certain that righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.
Sometimes God comes in fire, Psalms 97:3, as at Sinai, or on the day of Pentecost, which took place on the anniversary of the giving of the Law. Days come like that on which Jerusalem fell, or when the Turks took Constantinople, or when Napoleon was shattered at Waterloo-then hills melt like wax. But through all dark and terrible dispensations the Kingdom is secretly growing, the Lord is being exalted, and light is being sown for His people, Psalms 97:11. So, believer, your tears and fightings, as they pass, are absorbing heaven's love and power, which they will hold in reserve though buried for long in the dark. Days are at hand of unspeakable gladness. Be of good cheer. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 97

1  The majesty of God's kingdom
7  The church rejoices at God's judgments upon idolaters
10  An exhortation to godliness and gladness

What do the individual words in Psalms 97:1 mean?

Yahweh reigns let rejoice the earth let be glad of isles the multitude
יְהוָ֣ה מָ֭לָךְ תָּגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִ֝שְׂמְח֗וּ אִיִּ֥ים רַבִּֽים

יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מָ֭לָךְ  reigns 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָלַךְ 
Sense: to be or become king or queen, reign.
תָּגֵ֣ל  let  rejoice 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person feminine singular
Root: גִּיל  
Sense: to rejoice, exult, be glad.
הָאָ֑רֶץ  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
יִ֝שְׂמְח֗וּ  let  be  glad 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׂמַח  
Sense: to rejoice, be glad.
אִיִּ֥ים  of  isles 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אִי  
Sense: coast, island, shore, region.
רַבִּֽים  the  multitude 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.